We are all busy. It is sort of a fact of life – work, family, personal interests – we are pulled in many different directions all the time with endless to-do lists and things we want to get done. Some of this is good – we are, by nature, wired to accomplish.
However, when we are in “busy mode” we can sometimes forget other people are having a different experience from us.
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."
(attributed to Robin Williams, but likely taken from a quote by Ian Maclaren, or Plato, depending on which article on Google you believe).
What does this mean for us at work?
Slow down...have the conversation...be available to friends and colleagues. I know how much you are trying to get done, but by being available to someone, you just might save their life.
At my previous company, one of our Employee Resource Groups was specifically focused on mental health and they created the space and forum for people who were struggling to connect with someone else on the team.
I personally have been saved by people looking out for, and connecting with me on some of my darkest days.
It doesn’t take a lot of time but can have a tremendous impact.
Our guest on the podcast this week, Natalie Grumet, suffered aggressive breast cancer at the age of 26. She told Sherry and me that there were days during treatment that she felt like she couldn't breathe, and it was the conversations she had with other cancer survivors that were like oxygen. This was not a job, it was not their “responsibility," but these survivors recognized how important connection was to someone being treated, and they lifted her up.
Then, while in Las Vegas celebrating 10 years cancer-free in 2017, Natalie had another meaningful conversation with her husband, reflecting how how far they had come in those 10 years. She credits that talk with saving her life when she was shot a few hours later during the deadliest mass shooting in US history. As she tried to hide, crawl, and run to avoid more gunfire, she clung to the love she had felt in that conversation.
Connection with people and meaningful conversations matter. In Natalie’s case, she believes they literally saved her life.
Please listen in to hear Natalie’s incredible story. There are many lessons in this episode, but if nothing else, we hope it inspires you to reach out and connect with those you care about.
Check it out here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
